The lasting influence of Prohibition on today’s speakeasy cocktail bars
With a sense of 1920s nostalgia, we explore the influence of the Prohibition era on modern-day ‘Speakeasy’ cocktail bars across the US.
There is an undeniable human pleasure of feeling a part of something mysterious. This, combined with the glamour of the 1920s and a penchant for delicious cocktails has led to several modern iterations of the ‘Speakeasy’. These historically illicit bars first appeared during the Prohibition era in the United States – a period that made the practice of making, selling and consuming alcohol illegal – and were so-named due to the customers ‘speaking easy’ while quietly being allowed entry.
The re-emergence of the speakeasy started with New York’s Milk and Honey in 2000 and has grown in popularity since. While some themed bars can err on the side of kitschy, several spots in New York, Miami and across the US have succeeded in creating 21st-century versions of these drinking dens – with a sense of underground glamour.
Capturing the essence of a speakeasy is not just achieved through trinkets or posters, but an attempt to convey the secrecy these bars became known for. To truly set the scene, the entrance must feel somewhat clandestine for the clientele. The Garret in New York displays no signage and is hidden in an attic above a Five Guys – guests can surreptitiously enter through the burger restaurant to enjoy a tipple. The nearby Please Don’t Tell (PDT) is found through a phone booth at the back of a hot dog establishment, and for guests of NYC and Nashville’s Attaboy, a nondescript door with a telephone is the gateway for entry.
Once inside, guests are often led to intimate tables dimly lit by antique chandeliers. Unlike contemporary bars that favour light-filled, open-plan spaces, speakeasies are often subterranean to construct an illusion of a den sheltered from the eyes of the public. Ornate glassware, stamped tin and warm lighting emulate the 1920s ambience without feeling gimmicky. Rich fabrics often adorn the walls, with velvet and leather illustrating the decadence of the 1920s period.
The prohibition theme also extends to quirks and novelties that have disappeared over the decades. Authenticity is key to striking the right note with guests, something The Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery in Miami achieves as it delights guests with music played through a vintage gramophone. For ultimate privacy, New York’s Dear Irving includes tables with a personal buzzer for guests to ring when the next drink is needed. Further, speakeasy bars are often menu-less and rely on the expertise of the bar staff to create a drink for you – a homage to the 1920s days when steady liquor supplies could not be relied upon.
The intimacy of the traditional speakeasy was often a necessity rather than an intended design feature. Back rooms, hidden attics or basements were often hastily converted into a bar when another location was discovered by the authorities. And it’s for this very reason that the established societal restrictions of patrons were broken down and hedonism prevailed. In a speakeasy, all social classes mingled together and perhaps most shockingly, women were openly drinking hard liquor. Modern-day speakeasies reinvent this salacious environment by choosing small, intimate spaces with high top tables and shared leather sofas that encourage guests to socialize.
The cultural influence of this period of time continues to inform the design of bars across the country as they offer guests a glimpse into a long-forgotten world. As these sophisticated cocktail bars and lounges gain notoriety, the secret of the speakeasy may be out.
